Between 1200 and 1228, the Romanesque vaults of the north transept were replaced by the pointed Gothic rib vault, which were stronger and shifted the thrust of the weight outwards, reducing the need for massive pillars in the interior. After trying several temporary measures, in 1915, during the First World War, he launched a large-scale project to replace the entire foundation of the cathedral with concrete. The sacristy occupies the upper level over the chapel. Previous buildings on the site The visual effect of the faade is enhanced by its unusual darkish red stone. A paleochristian church or cathedral is believed to have been founded by an edict of Clovis I, but its exact location and appearance is unknown. The cathedral has a length of 112 meters (367 feet) and a width of 16 meters (52 feet). And finally, here's my list of the top 4 packing essentials you shouldn't head to the Strasbourg Cathedral without. The main architect and the man credited with most of the cathedrals design was Erwin von Steinbach (1244-1318), a German architect. de la Cathdrale, 67000 Strasbourg, France Phone +33 3 88 21 43 34 Web Visit website One of France's most stunning examples of late Gothic architecture, Strasbourg Cathedral towers over the Northern city's skyline with dramatic, imposing details. It became a major trading center for wine, grain, and later for textiles and luxury products. Remains of the choir screen are displayed in the Muse de luvre Notre-Dame and in The Cloisters. The cathedral was built in Gothic style. I love my Sony A6000, which is light, compact and . [81], The man on the balustrade (south transept). The outgoing 15th century was marked by the sermons of Johann Geiler von Kaisersberg and by the emerging Protestant Reformation, represented in Strasbourg by figures such as John Calvin, Martin Bucer and Jacob Sturm von Sturmeck. The reddish-brown sandstone from the Vosges mountains gives the cathedral its distinctive colour.[8]. The most amazing feature of the cathedral is its west faade, 9. Construction began in 1015, and it was largely completed in 1432. It's easy to get to by train from other regions in France (I took a direct train from Paris) or by car if you are driving. The sculptor Jacques Zimmer added the heads of cherubs made of bronze. Schedule: Monday to Saturday: 8:30 to 11:15 a.m. and 12:45 to 5:45 p.m. Sundays and feast days: 2 to 5:15 p.m. May be closed to visiting during services. Other moving figures include a trumpet player carrying a banner and a pretzel vendor being offered flour, water, and salt by the caryatides on the console. The exterior height of the central nave reaches an astounding 40 meters (130 feet) as well. On the east wall, the windows depict Christ in Majesty, Saint Lawrence, a Virgin and Child, and John the Baptist. It was built next to Strasbourg Cathedral in the 1730s, from designs by Robert de Cotte . Each holds a sceptre in his right hand and an orb in the left hand, symbols of their responsibility as both sovereigns and religious figures. Different characters, representing the ages of life (from a child to an old man) parade in front of Death. (New York, NY) April 21, 2011 - Axis Mundi was invited to submit a proposal for a new cathedral for the city of Strasbourg, France. The cathedral is open from October to March from 10 a.m.. The new plan was inspired in part by French cathedrals, particularly the Basilica of Saint-Urbain of Troyes. The upper windows at Strasbourg fill the entire space between the triforium and the vaults. The vaults are supported by a circular pillar with modest decorative stone rings. "We will rebuild Notre-Dame together because that is what our history deserves." The goal is to have the repairs completed in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics. The rose window, with a rayonnant Gothic design, is fourteen metres in diameter and was finished in 1345. The windows are devoted to nine Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. Today, the city is one of the most important cities in Europe as its home to several European institutions, including the European Parliament. Architect Erwin von Steinbach is credited for major contributions from 1277 to his death in 1318, and beyond through his son Johannes von Steinbach, and his grandson Gerlach von Steinbach, who succeeded him as chief architects. 1. This massive faade was decorated with thousands of figures giving it a unique and magnificent impression! Download Strasbourg Cathedral stock photos. [84], In 2004 the apse and choir received some of its historic furnishings; fifteen choir stalls made by Claude Burdy and Claude Bergerat in 1692, as well as a group of busts of the apostles originally placed there in the 18th century. Strasbourg Cathedral is over one thousand years old. [9] The Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame, a municipal museum located in the Foundation's buildings, displays original works of art from the cathedral, such as sculptures and stained-glass, but also the surviving original medieval buildings plans. Strasbourg Cathedral still holds a remarkable record, 7. The known dimensions of the building are as follows:[87]. It is reached by a stairway with a curling sculpted design called "butterfly wings". Every day at solar noon, Christ and the Apostles go on a procession and the rooster is integrated into the clock crows thrice. Like the city of Strasbourg, the cathedral connects German and French cultural influences, while the eastern structures, e.g. Strasbourg Cathedral (official French: Notre-Dame de Strasbourg ,German: Liebfrauenmnster zu Straburg, Our Lady of Strasbourg) is the Cathedral in Strasbourg. The construction, and later maintenance, of the cathedral is supervised by the Fondation de l'uvre Notre-Dame ("Foundation of Our Lady") since at least 1224. With a height of 18 meters (59 feet), its one of the largest astrological clocks of its kind in the world! It was the tallest building in the world for a period of 227 years, 6. It is the tallest building in the city and has been a World Heritage Site since 1988. The first astronomical clock was installed in the cathedral from 135254 until 1500. The cathedral was eventually surpassed in height by the St. Nikolai Church in Hamburg, Germany. In the portal of the Last Judgement, (right) Christ sits on his throne sorting the virtuous from the wicked. [19], 1277 plan for west front (Plan Riss B restitution), Construction of Strasbourg Cathedral, by Thophile Schuler, 1850, Strasbourg Cathedral in the Middle Ages, painting by August von Bayer (19th century), The next major project was the rebuilding of the west front, or facade, in the Gothic style. Today, about 275,000 people live there (with around 780,000 in the metropolitan area ). Take a moment to yourself in the cathedral; sit in a pew and enjoy the peace. [8], A set of "Emperor" windows, (Otto I, Otto II, Otto III, Conrad II, Henry III), Emperors Philip of Swabia, Henry IV, Henry V, Frederick II, Henry II of Bamberg, with head remounted on earlier body (1522), The five lower bays on the north side contain some of the oldest stained glass of the cathedral, installed in the old Romanesque cathedral in about 1180. The urban community is the residence for 467,375 people, while the city proper was occupied by 272,975 people based on the report in 2006. Above that are three narrow windows and then a triangular gable with a small circular oculus window and blind arches. In addition to the grand organ in nave, the cathedral has two smaller organs: The baptismal font by Jost Dotzinger (1453), Judgement of Solomon window in north transept (late 12th c.), Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist (3rd quarter of 12th century), left window of north transept, The transept and the apse were built atop the Romanesque crypt, making them a little higher than the nave; they are reached by a short stairway, giving the impression that the choir and apse are the stage of a theater. Climbing up to the Cathedral's platform and guard house is a thrilling experience. Repairs to war damage were completed only in the early 1990s. The portal of the infancy of Christ (left) depicts angels, bishops and saints in the voussures, and figures representing the virtues, carrying spears, prod the figures representing the vices. [53], The portal of Saint-Laurent, on the north transept, The three Kings with the Virgin Mary and child, Original statues in the Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame, The portal of Saint Lawrence, was added to the north transept between 1495 and 1505 by Jacob von (or Jacques de) Landshut, with sculptures by Hans von Aachen (aka Johan von Ach, or Jean d'Aix-la-Chapelle) and Conrad Sifer. Even though the cathedral was eventually surpassed in height by the St. Nikolai Church in Hamburg, Germany, it still holds the record of being the tallest church in the world that was completely constructed during the Middle Ages. Outside, the facade is the greatest "book" of images the Middle Ages has to offer. Apart from that, he is also standing just outside of the Cathedral near the southern transept of the church. Let's find out the people who live in Strasbourg. It is easily recognizable by its pink sandstone faade and its unique tower. The northern transept is decorated with the Emperor Windows, also referred to as the Kaiserfenster.. The walls are pierced with narrow slits, like a medieval fortress, giving it a very military appearance. Strasbourg Cathedralor the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg(French: Cathdrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, or Cathdrale de Strasbourg, German: Liebfrauenmnster zu Straburgor Straburger Mnster), also known as Strasbourg Minster, is a cathedral. It is separated from the nave by two massive pillars, 8.5 by 5 meters, which support the tower above. In 1505, architect Jakob von Landshut and sculptor Hans von Aachen finished rebuilding the Saint-Lawrence portal (Portail Saint-Laurent) outside the northern transept in a markedly post-Gothic, early-Renaissance style. He reconstructed the dome over the transept in a grander, Romanesque Revival style. Construction of the original, on the exact site of a Roman temple, was initiated in 1015 but later destroyed by a fire. As it turns, it shows the 1,022 stars identified by Ptolemy, as viewed above the horizon of Strasbourg. [83] The present clock was built by Jean-Baptiste Schwilgu between 1837 and 1842.[83]. Both the interior and exterior of the Strasbourg Cathedral are extraordinary, once called by Victor Hugo "a prodigy of the gigantic and the delicate." Built on the foundations of a Roman. Although considerable parts of it are still in Romanesque architecture, it is widely considered At 142 metres , Strasbourg Cathedral was the world's tallest building from 1647 to 1874 , when it was surpassed by St. Nikolai's Church, Hamburg. In 1905 he began taking measures to consolidate and strengthen the north side of the west facade, which supports the spire. One of the most fascinating facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that it took hundreds of years to complete. The original Romanesque crypt was kept and expanded westwards. It takes its reddish-brown color from the sandstone of the Vosges mountains. At noon, a group of three mechanical kings would prostrate themselves before the infant Jesus, while the chimes of the clock sounded the hour. This cathedral was then again replaced by a more prominent structure which consisted of three naves and three apses, and it was on the ruins of this Carolingian cathedral that the original modern-day cathedral was constructed in 1015. The rose windows of the west transept facade were made between 1230 and 1235, Above the rose are smaller round oculi from the same period, depicting Biblical symbols; the Alpha and Omega, the Candelabra of the Ancient Alliance, and others which combine floral and geometric designs. #1 A Good Camera - No doubt you're going to be snapping like crazy with these amazing Cathedral views and need to ensure you have a good camera to do this city justice. [75], The dog of the preacher Johann Geiler von Kaysersberg, on the steps, mourning his master, The pulpit, attached to the fourth pillar of the north side of the nave, was sculpted in 1485 following a design by Hans Hammer. The architects of the rebuilding began to include Gothic elements, following the style that had appeared in northern France in the 12th century, while still preserving the existing Romanesque features. Strasbourg Cathedral or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg , also known as Strasbourg Minster, is a Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, Alsace, France. Free shipping for many products! Cathedral facts for kids. The Bayeux Tapestry is without a doubt the most fascinating Romanesque artwork that was ever produced. On the south side of the nave, the upper walls have windows depicting female saints, including local saints from Alsace or Strasbourg. The church marked a historic moment in architecture, 11. The Silbermann organ had three keyboards, thirty-nine jeux, or effects and two thousand, two hundred forty-two pipes. The design called for a west front taller and wider than the nave behind it. The larger crypt has three naves, of equal size, divided by slender columns. Between the lower tower and spire there is a balustrade, almost hidden by pinnacles and other architectural decoration. Theres a reason why the church has an asymmetrical form, 12. Free or royalty-free photos and images. The central art work of the North Transept is a large statue of Christ on the cross, over a sculptural landscape depicting the Mount of Olives, crowded with carved figures in dramatic poses. 9. At the lower level are statues of the four Evangelists. [71], The narthex of the cathedral and massive pillars supporting the tower, seen from the central nave, Inside of west front doors, with blind rose window and column-statue of St. Peter. [84], Canon Conrad de Bussnang praying to Virgin and Child. One of the most incredible facts about Strasbourg Cathedral is that its spire was saved because the citizens of Strasbourg dressed the spire of the church with a huge tin Phrygian cap, the exact type of cap worn by the Enrags at the time. [16], A Roman settlement called Argentoratum, twenty hectares in size, existed on the site since about 12 B.C., at a strategic point where bridges crossed the Rhine and two of its tributaries. [51], The rose window and gallery of the Apostles, The west front or faade, the main entrance of the cathedral, is a relatively late addition, constructed between 1277 and 1490. [85], The bourdon, the largest and deepest-sounding bell, In 1519 Strasbourg Cathedral commissioned Jerg von Speyer to create what was said to be the largest bell in Europe; 2.74 meters in diameter and weighing twenty tons. Above this is a colourful clock with the signs of the zodiac. Only the names remain carved on the walls. Built of red Vosges sandstone, it is a harmonious edifice despite the variety of its architectural styles. Theres a statue of the main architect next to the cathedral, 8. But it hasn't always been. In the south transept, the lancet and oculus windows in the two large bays on the east, built in 12201227, are modelled after those in the lower choir of Chartres Cathedral. [26][27][28], The octagonal north tower was the combined work of architects Ulrich Ensingen (shaft) and Johannes Hltz of Cologne (top). Is Strasbourg in Germany or France? The 142 m high spire looks incredibly lightweight and made the Cathedral the highest edifice in all Christianity until the 19th century. The face is flanked by two cylindrical towers with narrow lancet windows and pointed roofs. Recent Boards {{ board.name }} {{ board.total_asset_count }} View all Boards View all Sets CREATE BOARD. Firstly the cathedral, the second most visited French cathedral after Notre Dame de Paris; secondly the picture-book historic quarter of Petite France, with its half-timbered medieval houses and its quays overlooking branches of the river Ill (that is the river " ill "); and thirdly . [86], Life of the Virgin Mary tapestry - "The Nativity" (163857), The cathedral has a particularly fine group of fourteen tapestries depicting the life of the Virgin Mary. Strasbourg Cathedral 104 Results Strasbourg Alsace France Petite France Ill Waterfront Sticker By artshop77 From $1.40 DECEMBER Canvas Print By Tritri Choupi $84.50 Strasbourg Cathedral - France Sticker By Moritz Schwble From $2.61 Strasbourg Alsace France Petite France street scene Sticker By artshop77 From $1.40 strasbourg cathedral Sticker A gallery of statues of the Apostles, each in his own arch, is placed above the rose window. A statue on the west side of the pillar represents a famed preacher contemporary with the cathedral; Johann Geiler von Kaysersberg (d. 1510); a small sculpture along the railing of the stairs depicts Geiler's dog, mourning his master on steps of the pulpit where he once preached. They were constructed around its nave in the 12th century to lend support to the thin walls, after the need. Most of these windows date back to the 12th and 13th centuries! Strasbourg Cathedral is a beautiful Gothic cathedral in the city of Strasbourg, France. 1439-1939", "Straburger Mnster, Cathdrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg", "Straburger Mnster Mnster Unserer Lieben Frau", Notre Dame Cathedral (original plans and contemporary photographs), Historical Sketch of the Cathedral of Strasbourg, Diocese of GrenobleVienne-les-Allobroges, Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Sainte-Croix-de-Paris, Maronite Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Paris, Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Vladimir the Great of Paris, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Strasbourg_Cathedral&oldid=1140780300, 15th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in France, Roman Catholic churches completed in 1439, Articles with French-language sources (fr), Articles with German-language sources (de), Articles needing cleanup from October 2021, Cleanup tagged articles with a reason field from October 2021, Wikipedia pages needing cleanup from October 2021, Pages using embedded infobox templates with the title parameter, Articles with MusicBrainz place identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, First Emperor Window: HENRICUS REX (presumably, Fourth Emperor Window: KAROLUS D[ic]C[tu]S MARTEL PATER BIPPINI (, Fifth Emperor Window: LOTHARIUS ROMANORUM IMPERATOR (. Notre Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral. Bishop Heinrich von Hasenburg was the leading figure behind the start of the construction of the church and he had one goal, to make it more amazing than the newly finished cathedral of Basel. A balustrade crosses the face of the transept, and above is a wall of two bays filled with stained glass. [85], The cathedral has two Romanesque crypts, the oldest parts of the cathedral. Marvel at the oldest Gothic cathedral of Europe with your local tour guide. Stavelot Triptych. The original statues were replaced by copies in the 20th century and are today kept in the Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame. [84], The main altar, in the form of a tomb, is a recreation of an earlier altar in the rocaille or late baroque style, which had been damaged in a fire in 1759 and then ruined during the French Revolution. 10. The Bishop appealed to the new Emperor, who granted one eighth of his revenues in the province toward the construction of a new Cathedral. [50], The restoration of the tower was completed in 2006, and in 2014 a new campaign of restoration was begun on the south transept. Ad vertisement from shop HayleesSilver. [20] Erwin von Steinbach's son Johannes von Steinbach served as magister operis, or Werkmeister (chief architect) from (at least) 1332 until his death in 1341. History. [10], The history of Strasbourg's cathedral is well documented thanks to the archives of the Notre-Dame Foundation, the city of Strasbourg, and of the diocese. [57] Following their destruction during the French Revolution, several of the sculptures have been replaced in the 19th century by works by Philippe Grass,[58] Jean-tienne Malade,[59] and Jean Vallastre. Construction of the new cathedral began on the foundations of the preceding structures. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for CDV Photo Cathedral Strasbourg France E Brion at the best online prices at eBay! They feature a Tree of Jesse (The Genealogy of Christ) and the judgement of Solomon (right window) and the Virgin Mary with John the Baptist and John the Evangelist) as well as King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba and King David on the left. He in 1284 and developed a western facade, with a thousand sculptures and an elegant rosette window. The arched tympanum over the doors of the central portal is crowded with sculpture, as are the voussures, the stone arches around the door. This mechanism displays the phases of the moon. In October 1988, when the city celebrated its 2,000th anniversary (as the first official mention of Argentoratum dates from 12 BC), pope John Paul II visited and celebrated mass in the cathedral. When Bishop Werner I supported the winning candidate, Henry II of Germany, one of his Henry's rivals, Hermann of Germany, raided Strasbourg and burned down the cathedral. LMENTS POUR UNE RPONSE", Les grandes dates de lhistoire de la Cathdrale de Strasbourg, "1439 1527: Strasbourg, loge suprme du Saint-Empire romain germanique", "Strasbourg Cathedral and the French Revolution (17891802)", "1906-1926: Consolidation des fondations du pilier de la tou", "CLBRATION DANS LA CATHDRALE DE NOTRE-DAME STRASBOURG HOMLIE DU PAPE JEAN-PAUL II Samedi, 8 octobre 1988", "Sculpture - Muse de l'uvre Notre-Dame", "L'histoire de la sculpture de saint Arbogast", "1399 1419: Construction de la haute tour", "Jubil du demi-millnaire de la flche de la cathdrale de Strasbourg. [8], The nave is dominated by the two rows of massive pillars. In 1524, the city council assigned the cathedral to the Protestant faith, while the building suffered some damage from iconoclastic assaults. This artifact was later kept in the historical collections of the city until they were all destroyed during the Siege of Strasbourg in a massive fire in August 1870. It was called the Dreiknigsuhr ("three-king clock"), and was located at the opposite wall from where today's clock is. There are two altars fixed to west pillars of the crossing, both from the 16th century; one devoted to Saint Pancras of Rome and the other to Saint Maurice. Adolf Hitler, who visited it on 28 June 1940, intended to transform the church into a "national sanctuary of the German people",[43] or into a monument to the Unknown German Soldier. The next major step toward Gothic took place with the raising of the vaults of the south transept, creating thinner walls and more space for high windows. The roof was set afire and the cross at the top of the spire was bent by a German artillery shell. [8], Animated mechanical figure of Samson and a lion. 1500) by Nikolaus Hagenauer, probably from the former main altar of the cathedral, Parts of the original astronomical clock (Strasbourg Museum of Decorative Arts). Church of St Peter the Young. The Strasbourg Cathedral in France is known for its unique spire, because of it the cathedral was the highest monument in the world for more than two centuries! As the spire of the cathedral is dominating the Strasbourg skyline, one starts to wonder why the building has an asymmetrical form, giving the structure the appearance that something is missing. Take the time to marvel at the magnificent, amazing statuary inside and outside of this masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The original construction of the church on its current location started in the year 1015. The tower is one of the first to rely substantially on craftsmanship, with the final appearance being one with a high degree of linearity captured in stone. At the same time, the planned two spires on either side of the facade would reach an extraordinary height of 122 meters. [72] Rays of yellow glass radiate outwards like a sun, surrounded mosaic-like pieces of green and blue and by small oculi with red floral designs. Strasbourg is the second most popular tourist city in France, after Paris; and there are three main attractions. It is composed of an octagonal pillar surrounded by four engaged columns, which reach upwards to support the vaults, and four slender colonettes. One of the oldest gothic cathedrals in France and the world, along with the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. In height to the vaults it is 32.616 metres (107.01ft). The Neustadt draws the inspiration for its urban layout partially . Choir pipe organ, north side of the choir, Height of observation deck: 66m (217ft), Exterior height of central nave: 40m (130ft), Inside height of central nave: 32m (105ft), Inside width of central nave: 16m (52ft), Inside height of lateral naves: 19m (62ft), Exterior width of west faade: 51.5m (169ft), Diameter of west faade rose window: 13.6m (45ft). A little history about Notre-Dame de Strasbourg Strasbourg's cathedral is an emblematic monument of the city, built on a site that was occupied by an important Roman camp when the city was called Argentoratum, and which has hosted many places of worship over the centuries. Formerly the floor of the crossing was filled with tombs of notable religious figures, but they were moved in later reconstructions. [83], The central tower is composed of three levels. The walls of the tower have tall lancet openings, which show the bells and bring light into the interior, and are decorated on the exterior with interlocking pointed gables. This is also true for Ecclesia and Synagoga, arguably the most famous statues of the cathedral, if not of Strasbourg. Christianity was first imposed in 313 by the Edict of Constantine. [52], The west front takes its distinctive appearance and sense of verticality from the dense network of lacelike pointed gables, pinnacles and tall, slender columns that cover it. A retrouver dans la galerie. The rounded arches of tympanum over the doorway contain sculpture of the Virgin Mary dying, surrounded by the Twelve Apostles and being crowned by Christ. The small circular windows above the Emperors depict scenes from the life of Christ.[73].